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Tag: Dentistry

What Impact Does Rapid Tooth Loss Have on Mortality Rates in Older People?
3Nov
New research has explored the relationship between tooth loss and mortality rates in older people. Concerningly, the research suggests that rapid tooth loss is linked to a higher risk of death. The findings underline the importance of looking after our oral health all throughout our lives.

As we get older, health problems typically become more common. Aside from physical health ailments, oral health issues are also commonplace.

Now, new research has found that older people who lose teeth rapidly are at a higher risk of death [1].

These are concerning findings. Moreover, they underline the importance of looking after our oral health all throughout our lives.

Tooth loss

The main focus of the research was on tooth loss. Teeth can be missing for a range of reasons. For example, this may be extensive tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma.

Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, a high sugar diet, severe gum disease, tobacco use, and in cases of trauma – combat sports.

Teeth can become lost at any point in a person’s life. In fact, a 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that tooth loss is one of the most common oral health problems around the world [2].

Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 11% of adults in the United States aged 65 to 74 have lost all of their teeth [3]. This rises to 20% in cases of those aged 75 and older.

Clearly, tooth loss is a big issue. Complications of tooth loss include worsening diet, speaking difficulties, lower quality of life, and further health problems [3].

The older a person gets, the higher their chances are of developing oral health problems. Furthermore, such problems often coincide with a rise in physical ailments too.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team of Chinese researchers. Their findings have been published in the BMC Geriatrics journal [1].

The researchers sought to find out the impact that teeth loss has on mortality. They pointed out that most research on the topic in the past has focused on measuring tooth count at a single point [1].

Therefore, this has not accounted for changes over time, which may have affected the validity of past research [1].

However, the researchers noted that this study would be the first to assess the association between teeth loss overtime and mortality in older adults [1].

The research involved 8,073 participants that were aged 73 to 91. The participants were monitored over a period of three and a half years [1].

Over this time period, the researchers tracked how quickly the participants lost teeth and classed this as the average number of teeth lost per year [1].

Then, the participants were divided in accordance with their average. The groups were classed as stable (no teeth lost per year), slow loss (1 lost per year), moderate loss (2-3 lost per year), and rapid loss (4 or more lost per year) [1].

Then, the data was entered into a Cox regression analysis, which accounts for the relative risk of an event. Essentially, it would tell the researchers if faster tooth loss was associated with a higher mortality risk [1].

The findings were clear. Those with rapid tooth loss had a 33% higher risk of death compared to the stable group [1]. This was a staggering amount.

Moreover, the results also showed that with each tooth lost per year, the risk of death increases by 4% [1]. Therefore, tooth loss is certainly associated with death, with the higher the loss, the higher the mortality rate.

Summary

The research clearly underlines the danger of tooth loss. Those with rapid tooth loss were found to be most at risk.

Perhaps more worryingly, those rapidly losing teeth had a higher risk of dying – irrespective of how many teeth they started the research with [1].

The researchers argued that their findings emphasize the need to closely monitor oral health and any tooth loss in older adults [1]. This can be monitored through regular dental check-ups.

Moreover, the researchers have also suggested that public health efforts should focus more on oral health, as opposed to just on physical health [1].

Increased public health efforts could help to raise awareness of the potential damage of tooth loss and result in improved oral hygiene among wider populations.

Oral health is important for everyone to consider. This research shows the mortality risk involved with poor oral health. By looking after our oral health, it can help to protect our overall health too.

Thinking points…

[1] As mentioned above, dental check-ups are crucial, as they can help dentists to monitor any ongoing problems. This should be done all throughout life! Any issues can be addressed – the earlier they are tackled, the better the outcome should be. We recommend having a dental check-up at least once every six months. You should book an appointment soon!

[2] A common theme throughout the above article is tooth loss. If you are missing teeth, then you could consider a dental implant. Implants are designed to be straightforward to fit, resemble natural teeth in appearance and function, and boost self-esteem. Here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer free implant consultations and would love to discuss your oral health with you. You can find out more about us at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Duan, L., Yang, L., Ruan, H., et al. (2025). Tooth loss progression and mortality among older adults: results from the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey (CLHLS). BMC Geriatrics. 25 (769). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06419-1.

[2] World Health Organization. (2022). Global oral health status report. Available: https://www.paho.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/global-oral-health-status-report-towards-universal-health-coverage-oral-health-2030.pdf. Last accessed: 31st October 2025.

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Tooth Loss. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/about-tooth-loss.html. Last accessed: 31st October 2025.

17Oct
Dental shame involves a person being ashamed, self-conscious, or disappointed with their teeth. It can have severe consequences, as those with dental shame will often avoid the dentist. Now, this topic has been researched further, with recommendations for improvements being made. Hopefully, these recommendations will result in improved health outcomes.

Many people are afraid of going to the dentist. Yet for those who are ashamed of their teeth, this can be even more challenging.

Now, new research has found that shame can result in people avoiding getting treatment for dental issues – even when they desperately need it [1].

Therefore, their dental issues can worsen. Moreover, oral health inequalities can also become more prominent.

The researchers have suggested that a better understanding of dental shame could result in more people seeking help for their oral health issues [1].

Background

While there is no set definition of dental shame, it generally revolves around a person being ashamed, self-conscious, and disappointed with their teeth.

It will usually either be linked to oral health problems or due to the aesthetic appearance of teeth. This can be natural, or due to excessive sugar, drug, or tobacco usage.

Dental shame can result in a person being reluctant to go to the dentist, even when they are in desperate pain. It is also linked with low self-esteem and social isolation.

Past research has found that dental shame is associated with inhibited smiling, mouth-hiding, secrecy, embarrassment, and a feeling of powerlessness in relation to dental social situations [2].

The Research

The research was carried out by a team of researchers from universities in Denmark and the United Kingdom. Their findings have been published in the Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology journal [1].

The researchers came from a range of backgrounds and institutions. As a multidisciplinary team, they each brought their own expertise to provide recommendations and discussion points [1].

The researchers pointed out that dental shame is a difficult and complicated topic – and involves a range of factors and nuances [1].

They proposed five key aspects of oral health which involves dental shame, whilst also requiring further investigation. These five areas are clinical encounters, healthcare and social services, daily oral health behaviors, systemic inequities, and psychological trauma [1].

In terms of clinical encounters, the researchers suggest that patients often struggle with fear of judgment and neglect. For dentists, it can be difficult to navigate the balance between providing effective care and avoiding worsening their shame [1].

With healthcare and social services, the researchers note that patients will often struggle with other professionals – including mental health professionals and employment agencies [1].

Regarding the third area – daily oral health behaviors – dental shame can have an impact. The person may struggle to socialise and struggle to engage in everyday toothbrushing and flossing [1].

With systemic inequities, the researchers explain that healthcare fees can have a negative impact and affect those with financial difficulties. Moreover, those in marginalized or vulnerable communities may face additional challenges [1].

The final area is psychological trauma. The researchers explain that there is a strong connection between dental shame and psychological trauma, with those having experienced trauma very likely to be more shame prone [1].

These five areas are important areas for consideration. Furthermore, these five areas have provided a basis for recommendations to be made.

Recommendations

The researchers made a series of recommendations as part of their concluding remarks [1]. They believe these recommendations can alleviate the potentially severe consequences of dental shame.

The researchers made a series of recommendations as part of their concluding remarks [1]. They believe these recommendations can alleviate the potentially severe consequences of dental shame.

They have proposed that those working in the field of dentistry and other healthcare settings should be trained in shame competence [1].

The researchers have suggested that this should include addressing systemic barriers and designing empathetic and inclusive environments for care [1].

The researchers warned that healthcare practitioners can incite shame in patients, either intentionally or unintentionally [1]. While they acknowledge that attempting to motivate their patient towards positive behavior may seem beneficial, it can actually have the opposite effect.

Moreover, dental shame is an under-researched area. They have suggested that more research needs to be completed in order to better understand this topic.

Author Comments

The researchers also commented on the findings. Professor Luna Dolezal from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom said that “shame can help explain why some people don’t like to expose their teeth to dentists” [3].

Continuing, Dolezal said that “dental shame is both a consequence and a determinant of oral health issues” [3]. Dolezal expanded, saying “it is a consequence because oral health issues can cause shame, and it is a determinant because it can act as a barrier to both daily dental care and engagement with dentistry” [3].

Therefore, dental shame can, according to Dolezal, turn into “a self-reinforcing spiral, where shame about oral health can lead to unfortunate oral health behaviors, which can potentially intensify oral health issues and inequities, leading to more shame” [3].

By addressing the issues caused by dental shame and improving knowledge of dental shame further, it should enable the topic to be handled more effectively, resulting in less harmful outcomes.

Moreover, it should also help to reduce inequities and improve overall health outcomes – including both oral and physical health.

Thinking points…

[1] Do you have dental shame? If so, hopefully by reading the above article, you’ll understand that you aren’t alone and that efforts are being made to tackle the issue. Please be assured that here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, you will receive a warm welcome! We’ll be happy to help you, answer any questions, and provide reassurance and support. We would love to see you soon, to find out more about us, see our website – https://savannadental.ca!

[2] Attending the dentist regularly is very important. We recommend attending a check-up at least once every six months. At a check-up, a dentist will be able to take a thorough look at your oral health, suggest improvements, and provide advice. Regular appointments will help your oral health to be monitored effectively. We recommend that you book an appointment soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/

References

[1] Folker, L., Dolezal, L., Jespersen, A. P., et al. (2025). Dental Shame: A Call for Understanding and Addressing the Role of Shame in Oral Health. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.70019.

[2] Moore, R., Brodsgaard, I., & Rosenberg, N. (2004). The contribution of embarrassment to phobic dental anxiety: a qualitative research study. BMC Psychiatry. 4 (10). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-4-10.

[3] University of Exeter. (2025). Dental shame stops people seeking help for oral health issues, study warns. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-dental-shame-people-oral-health.html. Last accessed: 15th October 2025.

How Many Young Adults in the USA Have Skipped the Dentist in the Last 12 Months?
28Sep
Attending the dentist is a very important part of looking after our overall health and wellbeing. But some barriers exist, making it difficult for some people to access dental care. New research suggests that a worrying number of young adults are avoiding the dentist, which has led to calls for improved public health initiatives.

Looking after our oral health is crucial. It contributes towards our overall health and wellbeing. A key part of looking after our oral health is attending regular check-ups at a dental clinic.

However, in concerning news, recent research has discovered that almost a third of American young adults have skipped visits to the dentist in the last 12 months [1].

This is very worrying, as poor oral health can result in a range of problems. This includes health challenges for the population, as well as economic and health system pressures.

Background

The research was based in the United States. While there are plenty of medical facilities in the US, not everyone has access to them.

Dental care in the United States is largely excluded from medical health insurance coverage, which impacts access to dentistry.

There are also cost implications too. Research suggests that up to 46% of American adults delay or forgo dental treatment due to cost [2].

Other issues include a lack of transport, mobility difficulties, fear of the dentist, and poor awareness of the importance of the dentist.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Their findings have been published in Frontiers in Oral Health [1].

This was the first research study to compare people’s social and economic circumstances, access to dental care, and self-reported health challenges across various age groups [1].

To do this, the researchers analyzed health, demographic, and dental data from almost 128,000 adults in the National Institutes of Health’s ‘All of Us’ program [1].

The researchers wanted to analyze how physical problems and mental health issues reported by people from different socioeconomic backgrounds varied depending on three factors – whether or not they had visited a dentist in the past year, their income, and their age [1].

A detailed data analysis took place. This allowed the researchers to make conclusions on the impact each factor had. Therefore, this allowed them to produce key findings.

The most important finding was that almost one in three young adults skipped the dentist in the last year [1]. This group were likelier to be renters, uninsured, and racially diverse.

Moreover, young adults who missed dental visits were also likelier to skip medical care, struggle with copays, rely on emergency care, and report mental health problems [1]. Evidently, this presents multiple problems.

Other age-based findings were made. Those aged 66 and over reported more disabilities, although they were likelier to have insurance and own their own home [1].

Among older adults who did skip dental visits, they typically reported difficulty in walking, bathing, and running errands [1]. This may explain their avoidance of the dentist. The researchers noted that improved transportation could assist with this.

Across all age groups, those who skipped the dentist presented with lower income, more disabilities, and heightened housing instability than those who didn’t skip the dentist.

Summary

The findings demonstrate that there are a sizeable number of people skipping the dentist, especially among younger people. This is very concerning.

But there are many factors at play, with the researchers finding that income, mental health problems, disabilities, housing, access to healthcare, and social elements all play a role [1].

Lead author Yau-Hua Yu is an Associate Professor of Periodontology at the School of Dental Medicine. She confirmed that “young adults, aged 18 to 35 years old, were the most likely to report not having visited a dentist within the past 12 months” – something she said “is very troubling” [3].

The researchers also pointed out that dental checkups do not always feature in public health initiatives that promote preventative care for all areas of health [1].

For example, several public health initiatives remind us of eating healthily, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and illicit drugs. However, it is rare to see widespread dental public initiatives.

Yu and her colleagues suggested that the findings underline the “urgent need to integrate dental care into overall healthcare” [3]. This integration could result in improved rates of visits to the dentist.

Additionally, Yu noted that “interventions must be tailored not only to income, but to life stage and cumulative disadvantage” – thereby considering the other factors highlighted in the research.

Dental care is available, but clearly there are a range of factors that need to be considered. The hope is that improved public health initiatives could result in improved awareness of the importance of oral health and an increase in dental clinic visits going forward.

Thinking points…

[1] As mentioned above, attending regular dental appointments is very important. At a dental appointment, a dentist can examine your mouth, including both the teeth and gums. They can provide advice, suggest treatment if needed, and answer any of your questions. You should visit the dentist at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] As discussed earlier, while there are many barriers affecting access to dental care, cost is an important consideration for many. However, here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, our fees are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, our prices are fully transparent, competitive and reliable. To find out more about us, you can visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/ – we hope to see you at our Calgary dental clinic soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Yu, Y-H. (2025). Access to oral health care and its social determinants across the lifespan in the United States. Frontiers in Oral Health. 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2025.1619983.

[2] Conexiant News Staff. (2023). Americans May Forgo Dental Treatments Due to Cost, Risking Overall Health, New Synchrony Research Reveals. Available: https://insidedentistry.net/news/?newsID=84788. Last accessed: 25th September 2025.

[3] Tufts University. (2025). One in three young adults skip the dentist, and that’s a problem. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-young-adults-dentist-problem.html. Last accessed: 25th September 2025.

Canadian Dental Benefit Coverage Statistics Released: What Are the Main Takeaways?
25Aug
New data regarding medical and dental benefit coverage from 2024 has been released. This data has provided insights into various elements of dental benefit coverage across the Canadian population. While the data is largely positive, some disparities exist. The data has provided some key takeaways.

Data regarding dental benefits coverage from 2024 has been released [1]. The data has provided interesting insights into how dental benefits play a role in oral health services in Canada.

Among the headline findings is that approximately two thirds of employees in Canada reported having workplace medical or dental benefits through their main job [1].

Generally, higher rates of employer benefits is positive to see. It suggests that employers care about the oral health of their employees – which subsequently contributes to strong overall health.

However, the data did reveal differences across Canadian provinces and territories. In some areas, disparities exist.

Background

The data was provided by Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada provides data to the public regarding the economy, society, and environment.

As mentioned, data from 2024 has been released. The focus of this data was on medical and dental benefits [1].

In terms of definitions, employees aged 15 and older who report having access to supplemental medical or dental care through their main job are classed as those with medical or dental benefits [1].

As discussed, there are a few key takeaways from the statistics that have been released. These takeaways will help to guide policymakers in the future.

More employers are providing dental benefits

One of the main findings was that 66.8% of employees in Canada reported having workplace medical or dental benefits through their main employment [1].

This proportion has been steadily rising since 2021. This is positive to see, with Statistics Canada suggesting that it is a sign of quality of employment [1].

In fact, in 2021, the percentage was 63.3% [1]. Therefore, in three years there has been a 3.5% increase – representing a positive change.

Most working-age Canadians rely on coverage provided by their employer for dental care. While many provinces and territories assist in supplemental dental care coverage for children and seniors, this isn’t the case for those of a working age [1]. Therefore, this percentage increase is positive to see.

Full-time employees are likelier to have medical or dental coverage

Those working full-time or with permanent jobs had higher rates of coverage compared to part-time employees or those with temporary jobs [1].

In fact, temporary employees (22.8%) were nearly four times more likely than permanent employees (5.8%) to agree or strongly agree that they may lose their job in the next 6 months [1].

Clearly, temporary employees have greater job insecurity. Additionally, less than 3 in 10 temporary employees received either dental or medical benefits through their job [1].

Employees in permanent positions have enjoyed a rise in the likelihood of having medical or dental benefits in recent years [1]. For example, 71.9% of permanent employees had medical or dental benefits in 2024, compared to 26.1% for temporary employees [1].

Disparities across provinces and territories

A somewhat concerning takeaway is that there are disparities across Canadian provinces and territories [1].

In 2024, Saskatchewan (71.7%), Manitoba (70.3%), British Columbia (70.0%), and Alberta (69.7%), had the highest rates of workplace medical or dental coverage [1]. These were positive rates and outperformed the national average.

However, on the other hand, Quebec (60.6%), Prince Edward Island (63.2%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (63.6%), had the lowest rates [1]. These were all below the national average.

This does create a situation where the level of care a person gets can be affected by where they live. It is important to note that some provinces and territories do provide supplemental coverage to residents.

Males are likelier to have dental coverage than females

Another takeaway is that males are likelier than females to have dental coverage [1]. A caveat to this though is that this is driven by higher rates of full-time work in men.

In 2024, 63.8% of women had workplace medical or dental benefits. Conversely, 69.5% of men had medical or dental benefits [1].

But among full-time employees, there was only a minimal difference, with 75.5% of female and 76.6% male full-time employees having medical or dental benefits [1].

Younger employees are less likely to have dental coverage

The statistics showed that in 2024, younger employees were less likely than their older counterparts to have medical or dental benefits [1].

Just 27.6% of those in the 15-24 age group had medical or dental benefits [1]. This compared to 75.1% of those aged 25-54 [1].

Statistics Canada suggested that young employees may be reliant on coverage from their parents’ health insurance plans [1]. Therefore, those with parents without insurance are at heightened risk of having poor access to oral healthcare services.

Public sector and unionized employees have higher rates of coverage

A final takeaway is that the data shows that employees that are part of a union, or those working in the public sector, have higher rates of coverage [1].

Unions are able to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, which is why this rate is higher. In fact, unionized employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement had an 83.0% rate of medical or dental benefit coverage [1].

This compared to 59.7% of those not covered by a collective bargaining agreement [1]. Therefore, this represents quite a large difference and underlines the benefits of being in a union.

Similarly, those who work in the public sector had a far higher rate of dental benefit coverage compared to those in the private sector [1].

80.9% of public sector employees had coverage, compared to 62.1% of private sector employees [1]. Again, this represents a large difference.

Summary

The findings suggest that Canadian employers are moving in the right direction. The more people that have coverage, the better the health of the nation will be.

There are legitimate concerns for those who are part-time, from certain provinces, and young. But hopefully disparities will lessen in forthcoming years.

But with many having a dependence on an employer for access to medical or dental coverage, it does raise the concern that variations in employer-provided coverage could result in health outcome inequalities among workers.

Thinking points…

[1] Whether you have dental coverage or not, it is very important to attend the dentist regularly! Even if you do have coverage, it is important to not get complacent. Therefore, irrespective of your circumstances, make sure you attend a check-up at least once every six months. At a check-up, a dentist will be able to take a thorough look at your oral health, provide advice, and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment right away!

[2] If you are aged 16-25 and reading this, or if you are reading this and have any dependents in this age bracket, the above information is very important! It shows that those in this bracket face disparities compared to those that are older. If you are in this age group, make sure to take particular care of your oral health! Similarly, if you have a dependent or know anyone who is this age group, you could send this article to them now to remind them of the importance of their oral health!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Lovei, M., & Abdille, A. (2025). Medical or dental benefits coverage, 2024. Available: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/14-28-0001/2025001/article/00003-eng.htm. Last accessed: 23rd August 2025.

What Are the Main Barriers to Achieving Strong Oral Health for Adolescents?
11Aug
While the dental health of young children in the United States has been improving in recent decades, this improvement hasn’t been seen in adolescents. This has created a disparity in dental health. Now, a research team has sought to find out what the barriers are that are stopping many adolescents from achieving strong oral health.

A positive trend in recent decades across the United States involves overall dental health among young children improving.

However, adolescents have not experienced the same positive improvement. This disparity has confused researchers. Therefore, research into this subject has recently been carried out [1].

The findings of this research may help to create strategies to tackle the disparity and result in improved oral health for adolescents as they become adults.

The disparity

Other recent research make a surprising discovery – that adolescents aged 12 to 17 show significantly worse oral health outcomes than their younger siblings [2].

This is particularly peculiar, given that those in the study were living in the same household and shared similar socioeconomic conditions [2].

Moreover, other research shows that almost 60% of adolescents have untreated tooth decay. This is particularly high in those from ethnic minorities [3].

Having good oral health is crucial. It has a range of benefits for any country, such as contributing to improved physical health for citizens, boosting the economy, and lessening the strain on the healthcare system.

Poor oral health can also influence self-esteem, which is already a problem for many adolescents. It also lessens quality of life.

Therefore, there are valid concerns, especially when comparing the differences in age groups. This disparity has now been studied closely.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine. Their recent findings have been published in the International Journal of Dentistry [1].

The study focused on adolescents in Western New York. The team performed an analysis of 7,379 dental visits at UB Dental between 2018 and 2023 [1].

The main issue noticed by the researchers was that adolescents accounted for the highest percentage of missed appointments (24%) [1]. This was much higher than young children.

But the researchers noted that not attending appointments was often due to a range of barriers. For example, financial, emotional, and logistical barriers were observed [1].

They found that many families were unable to afford appointments. In terms of logistics, this included struggling to travel to a dental clinic, or fitting appointments in around employment [1].

In terms of emotional barriers, the researchers found an issue that they termed “caregiver dental anxiety” [1]. Their findings suggested that more than 60% of caregivers had elevated dental anxiety.

Therefore, this anxiety was often passed onto adolescents. In fact, the researchers found that anxious caregivers were almost four times likelier to have anxious adolescents [1].

Another finding was that many families were unaware that children over the age of 12 remain eligible for Medicaid coverage [1]. This was especially common in households where English is not the primary language. Therefore, this led to confusion and missed appointments due to fear of having large costs [1].

The results suggest that missed dental appointments were a clear contributing factor towards the disparity.

But they also noted that these missed appointments are a visible symptom of what is actually a deeper structural problem that impacts adolescents’ ability to access dental care [1].

Summary

Overall, the findings found that missed appointments were a key factor behind the disparity. Yet it isn’t as simple as this, with the researchers pointing out that a range of factors are involved.

It isn’t surprising that this is a multi-faceted and complex problem. It is something that will take time to change, although it is positive to see that efforts to tackle the disparity are ongoing.

The research was led by Rubelisa Oliveira, who is an Assistant professor at the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine [4].

Oliveira spoke about the findings, highlighting that “adolescents are often overlooked in health care strategies” [4].

Continuing, Oliveira explained the importance of this group, saying that “this is a critical period when lifelong health behaviors are being formed” [4].

Oliveira and her team discussed recommendations for the future. They have proposed scheduling family-wide appointments, simplifying Medicaid explanations, and having a staff member available to assist parents with navigating the healthcare system [4].

Additionally, Oliveira and her team are hoping to work with schools across Buffalo and Niagara County to offer dental screenings and improved oral health education [4]. This could have a very positive effect on adolescents.

Hopefully these recommendations will result in positive changes in the long-term. The aim is for this disparity to end and for everyone to enjoy strong oral health.

Thinking points…

[1] One of the key findings of the research was the impact of not attending dental appointments. Take this as a reminder of the importance of visiting the dentist regularly for a check-up! At a check-up, a dentist can take a thorough look at your oral health and look out for any issues. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

[2] As discussed above, a common barrier for some people attending the dentist is fear of the dentist, or anxiety. But here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we strive to offer a great patient experience! We offer blankets, complimentary drinks, a children’s play area, and sedation options for those experiencing dental anxiety. We would love to welcome you to our dental clinic soon! To find out more, take a look at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Rubelisa, C. G., Khalid, H., Zhang, Z., et al. (2025). Visit Characteristics Associated With Pediatric Dental Appointment No-Shows in an Academic Dental Setting. International Journal of Dentistry. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/ijod/2114933.

[2] Mei, L., Griffin, S. O., Gooch, B. F., et al (2019). Oral health surveillance report : trends in dental caries and sealants, tooth retention, and edentulism, United States : 1999–2004 to 2011–2016.Available: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/82756. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.

[3] Healthy People 2030. (2025). Increase the proportion of low-income youth who have a preventive dental visit — OH 09. Available: https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/oral-conditions/increase-proportion-low-income-youth-who-have-preventive-dental-visit-oh-09/data#data-chart. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.

[4] Lock, L. (2025). Study finds persistent barriers keep adolescents from achieving better oral health. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-persistent-barriers-adolescents-oral-health.html. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.

Can Artificial Intelligence Help To Detect and Predict Early Childhood Tooth Decay?
4Aug
A recent review has sought to find out how effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in terms of detecting and predicting early childhood tooth decay. With oral health being crucial in children, spotting and treating problems is very important. Therefore, having advanced technology to assist dentists can be very helpful.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a significant impact on a huge array of industries. The field of oral healthcare is no different, with AI having an ever-increasing role.

Now, a review of 21 existing studies suggests that AI has a strong potential for detecting and predicting early childhood tooth decay [1].

As strong oral health in childhood can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of positive oral health, being able to predict problems in children can be very helpful.

Background

The research focused on existing studies. One of the main focuses of the review was early childhood tooth decay, which is a serious problem.

Recent research found that in the United States, 29% of children aged 1-17 had received treatment for tooth decay within the previous year [2].

The same research also highlighted concerns over the oral hygiene routine of many children. For example, the research found only 3 in 5 children brush their teeth twice a day [2].

Poor oral health in youth can result in a lifetime of oral health problems. Therefore, avoiding such problems is very important.

Meanwhile, the research also involved analyzing the use of AI in dentistry. There is a strong expectation that AI will become increasingly involved in oral health over the next few years.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Their work has been published in the Evidence-Based Dentistry journal – part of Nature [1].

The research team carried out a review of 21 studies that had been conducted between 2014 and 2024 [1]. These studies were oral health-focused and involved AI.

The research team were interested in both detection and prediction of early childhood tooth decay. Both are key parts of dentistry and is a crucial area for AI to be accurate with.

Detection refers to when AI can identify tooth decay. Meanwhile, prediction refers to AI’s ability to accurately predict future cases of tooth decay.

The researchers were particularly interested in deep learning algorithms. Deep learning algorithms use vast networks of raw data to analyze, review, and learn. They can then produce organized data and advanced insights.

This process was followed, resulting in the researchers being able to make conclusions based on the analysis of the 21 existing studies [1].

The researchers concluded that AI was capable of detecting and predicting tooth decay in early childhood at an impressive rate [1].

Moreover, the researchers noted that their findings suggested that deep learning algorithms were particularly effective at both detection and prediction [1].

They noticed that deep learning algorithms could detect early childhood tooth decay with an accuracy between 78 and 86 percent [1].

For prediction of early childhood tooth decay, accuracy ranged from 60 to 100 percent [1]. While this is a large range, the various studies produced mixed results. But with accuracy at 100% in one study, it underlines its potential effectiveness at prediction.

Overall, AI produced impressive findings, with strong results in detecting and predicting tooth decay.

The future

The researchers were very impressed with deep learning algorithms and their ability to both detect and predict tooth decay [1]. Therefore, the research produced promising findings.

The hope is that AI will be able to be used in the future to assist with detection and prediction of oral health problems.

When detected early, this would enable treatment to take place as soon as possible. The sooner treatment takes place, the smaller the chance of complications.

Similarly, if dentists had AI highlighting predictions of tooth decay for certain patients, it could enable them to suggest an enhanced brushing schedule, or more frequent dental visits.

Both of these could result in quicker treatments and improved patient experiences. Therefore, AI can offer a range of benefits.

The authors have cautioned that additional research is needed in order to improve the technology further [1]. However, benefits are already visible.

Thinking points…

[1] We mentioned above about the importance of early detection of dental problems. Therefore, it is important to see your dentist regularly! Attending a dental check-up at least once every six months is very important, as a dentist will be able to keep track of your oral health and spot any problems. We recommend that you book an appointment right away!

[2] As shown above, there are many concerns about tooth decay in children. If you have children, make sure you take them to the dentist regularly. This can get them into good habits for life and protect both their physical and oral health. You could also get them to go to the dentist with you – as this can set a good example for them to follow.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Bennett, L., Tiplady, L., & Taylor, G. (2025). Can AI find the cavities in caries prediction and diagnosis?. Evidence-Based Dentistry. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-025-01181-0.

[2] Mott Poll. (2025). Oral hygiene is key to healthy smiles. Available: https://mottpoll.org/reports/oral-hygiene-key-healthy-smiles. Last accessed: 31st July 2025.